"Lonely Middle-Aged Americans: A Comparison with Europeans"

A new report suggests that middle-aged Americans are experiencing higher levels of loneliness compared to their European counterparts, potentially contributing to the country's lower life expectancy. Factors such as individualism, weaker family ties, and the widespread use of social media are believed to be driving this epidemic of loneliness. Persistent loneliness has been linked to various mental and physical health effects, including sleep disorders, metabolic conditions, heart disease, obesity, and cognitive decline. The study emphasizes the need for better policies to address loneliness as a public health issue and highlights the impact of social and economic inequalities on midlife loneliness in the US.